The boy had been home for some time now, and he was grateful to his brother's insistent care. His pads had fully healed since being burned in the desert, and he'd put on a fair amount of weight, although with the winter season just past, he was still thinner than he should be. Nonetheless, he felt like himself again, and he was more than ready to begin playing catch up. He'd been hoping he could start in a group fight training session, but nothing had been called thus far and he was growing restless. He didn't know the wolves of Celestial well enough, so he wasn't sure who to turn to, other than their leader, Regulus. And so, Exodus made his way to roughly the center of the plains,
where he would send up a call for the Archangel. The man had an intimidating and commanding presence, and if there was anyone he could learn from, it would certainly be Regulus. He regretted that he wasn't learning directly from his father, but he hadn't seen the man since returning home, and he hadn't heard anyone speak of Creed lately. Sighing to himself, he knew there was so much to catch up on, not only his training, but everything else that had happened in his absence.

Regulus Anatolii Adravendi

He was dragging a hide piled with rocks when the howl reached his ears. A slight frown creased his brow as he dropped his grip on the hide and he headed toward it. He hadn’t had a chance to tell Exodus about his father, and he didn’t know if Justice or Paladin, who knew by now, had gotten a chance to tell their brother about Creed’s death. There was no sadness if the boy’s voice, though. Regulus had a sinking feeling in his chest as he drew close enough to see Exodus’s features. There was no sign of grief on the boy’s face, or in his eyes. Regulus came to a stop, settling on his haunches and studying him gently. He didn’t know. And Regulus wasn’t sure how to broach the subject with him. So he simply asked, figuring they could get to that point if it came up, “Hello, Exodus. You called?”” He was honestly curious, wondering what the young male might want, and he hoped it was to show that initiative he hoped to see in the pack. An ambition to rise in the ranks to be able to serve the pack better. For once, he wanted to be able to announce at a meeting one day that someone was being promoted to the upper ranks. He didn’t want to have to announce more demotions to the rank of Punished.

Exodus pawed the ground, brushing circles in dead grass and damp dirt as he waited for Regulus, hoping the pack's leader would come. He knew he needed to keep himself seated and try to be patient. This was important, and he couldn't give in to childish impulses to go run off and play. He couldn't let himself get bored or restless and just wander off - surely Regulus would be disgruntled to find him absent after calling him away from the borders. So he played with the brush on the ground, digging his nails through the sod and keeping himself mildly amused until the Archangel arrived. He lifted his head and sat up straight, giving the man his full attention immediately. "Hello Regulus!" Exodus greeted him enthusiastically, "I appreciate you coming. I- I was wondering if you'd help me with my training. I feel like I'm so far behind... I know it's my fault, but I want to do all I can to catch up, and I can't think of anyone better to learn from than you."

It was a plea that he hoped would go heeded. He found Regulus somewhat intimidating, but he knew the Archangel was a fair man and Exodus was sure he would want his younger pack members to take charge of their education. The boy was more than ready to charge ahead at full speed in terms of his training, wanting to learn all that he could, but his greatest interest was in becoming a trusted defender of Celestial. With his ears folded back, he hardly even realized he'd gotten to his paws eagerly, and his tail was waving back and forth as he awaited Regulus' response.

Regulus Anatolii Adravendi

There was no sign that Exodus had been told of Creed’s death. He was enthusiastic, cheerful, and Regulus ached inside with the knowledge that so much of that might be snuffed out once he learned. But for now, he listened attentively as the boy spoke. A slow nod tipped his crimson muzzle as he smiled at the boy. “I would like to mentor you, certainly, Exodus. I have little doubt that you have potential to be a strong fighter, and your initiative in seeking me out instead of waiting for me to call you is much appreciated. We need that here in Celestial.” The smile grew on his jaws as he regarded the fellow shrewdly. “If you don’t mind, we can start now with a lesson, and then a spar.”